Young Scholars Charter School
Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday September 10, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Location
900 North Marshall Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
This meeting is being held in compliance with Open Meeting requirements of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act and is open to the public. Notices were duly posted and the meeting was advertised in The Philadelphia Daily News. Formal action will be taken.
Trustees Present
A. Wang (remote), B. Harrison (remote), E. Kaplin (remote), J. Wang (remote), T. Rebar (remote), W. Churchill (remote), W. Weisman (remote), r. Halpern (remote)
Trustees Absent
B. Young, E. Ashe, G. Singer, J. Brown
Guests Present
C. Freyer (remote), J. Amenda, K. Corcoran (remote), K. Tini (remote), S. Smith (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
II. Board Discussion Topics
A.
Phase I Facility Project Summary and Phase II Preview
B.
2024_2025 Organizational Chart and Staffing Overview
J. Amenda provided an overview of the school's staffing structure and organizational chart, noting the exceptionally robust Special Education program staff.
C.
Elevate 215 Grant Updates and Design Team Work Products
J. Amenda shared that Young Scholars is guaranteed to receive $550,000 through the Elevate 215 grant and provided an overview of the aligned design team work that has taken place. We are currently closely monitoring the implementation of key design principles. Amenda added that our current focus related to staffing is on retention rather than recruitment, underscoring the positive impact that compensation adjustments have had on teacher satisfaction.
The capital campaign was discussed, including current challenges related to the Land Bank's stalled movement around the process of purchasing the additional land to complete Phase 2. R. Halpern raised the question of how how trustees can best advocate. Follow up discussion will be conducted.
D.
2024_2025 Goals
J. Amenda provided an overview of 2024-25 school goals with an emphasis on the increased accountability aligned to more ambitious goals. Strong growth was underscored in addition to the focus on re-ascension to previous levels of academic achievement, as well as breakthrough outcomes and sustainable practices
E.
Transportation Status and 4th Bus Amendment
S. Smith provided an overview of new transportation procedures at Young Scholars and the positive impact that providing our own buses has had on student attendance as well as challenges that we have encountered, including adjustments that have been made. Cost analysis indicated that transportation costs this year are comparable to previous years, with significantly increased ridership.
F.
Capital Campaign Status
G. Wilson, representative of Schultz & Williams, provided an update on the Capital Campaign status. 9 trustee interviews have been conducted to date.
G.
Committee Updates Where Applicable
K. Corcoran provided a update on financial standing and goals, underscoring that Young Scholars met all financial district metrics and finished the school year in a strong cash position.
III. Approval of Minutes
A.
Resolved that the Board approve the Regular session minutes from the June 11, 2024 meeting.
Minutes from June
J. Amenda provided an overview of the facility improvements completed in Phase 1, including key enhancements and additions, and timeline/scope of work. Pre-construction activity began in April; Phase 1 was completed in August. Phase 2 is anticipated to be completed in 2026.